Nothing beats a simple and quickly prepared meal especially during the last days of winter.  This delicious salad is an excellent source of vitamin C, folate and fiber.  One serving has only 218 calories, and most of the fat in this recipe is monounsaturated, which reduces LDL, or “bad” cholesterol.

 

Thai Pork Salad

 

1 pound lean boneless pork chops

Vegetable cooking spray

½ cup chopped fresh cilantro*

¼ cup chopped fresh mint leaves*

3 green onions, finely chopped

1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger

½ teaspoon ground red pepper

½ cup fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon fish sauce**

1 teaspoon sesame oil

¼ cup rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons lite soy sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 (16-ounce) package broccoli slaw mix

1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced

Hot cooked basmati rice (optional)

 

            Process pork in a food processor until coarsely chopped.  Sauté pork in a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink.  Drain and cool.

            Combine pork, cilantro, and next 7 ingredients.  Stir together vinegar, soy sauce, and olive oil.  Drizzle over slaw, tossing to coat. Top with pork mixture; serve with cucumber slices, and, if desired, rice.  Yield:  6 servings.

            *TIP:  Store fresh herbs wrapped in damp paper towels in an air-filled zip-top plastic bag, or place in a jar filled with water, and cover with a plastic bag; keep in the refrigerator.

            **Fish sauce is found in Asian markets and large supermarkets.

 

For more information, contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Service -Travis County at 512/854-9600.

 

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service educational programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.